Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2025-26 participant opinions! The collection will have a look at the gamers who completed the season with the San Antonio Spurs on assured contracts and who performed consequential minutes and/or a significant position (so no two-way gamers as a result of we hardly noticed them this yr, no gamers who have been traded away, and not one of the deep bench facilities, since they have been each irrelevant and at the moment are all gone).
2025-26 stats: 71 video games performed, 11.5 MPG, 4.2 factors, 2.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 33.5 3FG%
Contract Standing: 3-year, rookie contract (workforce choice for 2027-28 and 2028-29)
It wasn’t a assure that Carter Bryant could be a contributor for the San Antonio Spurs in his rookie season. The fourteenth-overall-pick within the 2025 NBA Draft entered a gifted wing room with veterans like Harrison Barnes, Julian Champagnie, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson taking over a big share of the minutes. Bryant needed to earn his approach into the rotation. His utilization was sporadic early within the season as Mitch Johnson tried to get a really feel for his roster. However slowly, because the season went on, Bryant bought extra alternatives and an extended leash, changing into a professional contributor late within the season and an element within the playoffs.
It wasn’t all the time easy crusing for Bryant. He missed so many dunks early within the yr that his veteran teammates threatened to shave his head. He appeared misplaced at occasions off the ball defensively, and made some foolish rookie errors with the ball in his arms. However one thing clicked after Bryant performed a single sport for the Austin Spurs on January ninth (he had 15 factors, 5 rebounds, and a pair of blocks in a win). When he returned to the NBA workforce, he appeared assured and extra deliberate along with his decision-making. He used his power and athleticism to make impression performs on protection and stopped forcing a lot on offense. His taking part in time elevated because of this.
Over the course of the season, Bryant confirmed glimpses of what he could possibly be: a two-way wing who wins defensively along with his superior measurement, athleticism and power, and an offense cutter who can hit the occasional three-pointer. He performs with a particularly excessive motor and a degree of aggression that’s fairly uncommon for a participant of his age. His eagerness comes with its downsides as nicely, as Bryant would generally discover himself out of place or foul whereas making an attempt to cease an opposing participant.
That weak spot was placed on show within the NBA playoffs, the place gamers like Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson uncovered Bryant defensively. With out including a lot on the offensive finish, Bryant was left with a sparkplug power position off the bench that generally harm the Spurs greater than it helped them within the postseason.
Playoff woes apart, it’s onerous to not see Bryant’s rookie season as a hit. He carved out a task for himself on an NBA Finals workforce, and confirmed promise of being a long-term piece of San Antonio’s core. His numbers gained’t blow you away, however he appeared worthy of a lottery choose in a stacked 2025 class. He developed a lot over the course of only one season. It could be silly to doubt he can’t get higher from right here.
Bryant ought to proceed to issue into San Antonio’s rotation subsequent season, if not earn extra minutes. Even with the addition of Tobias Harris, Bryant nonetheless has a task as a rangy defensive wing who can doubtlessly play some small-ball 5. With Harris becoming a member of, Julian Champagnie can most likely return to taking part in extra of an off-ball wing position somewhat than a stretch 4 alongside Victor Wembanyama within the beginning lineup, leaving some minutes available for Bryant because the backup ahead. He’ll be preventing Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes for that spot.
Bryant will probably come into the season subsequent yr because the Spurs’ second-best perimeter defender behind Stephon Citadel. That truth alone ought to earn him minutes. San Antonio might want to see him enhance on the offensive finish. Bryant must knock down open threes and discover ways to assault a closeout. He confirmed indicators of doing each within the NBA Summer season League this yr. He doesn’t want to have the ability to “cook dinner” defenders off the bounce, simply rating on straight-line drives when the protection overcommits. However first, he has to shoot higher than 33.5% from three to make defenses respect him exterior of the paint.
I’m significantly enthusiastic about Bryant’s future. Guys along with his measurement, motor, and athleticism don’t develop on timber. His shot seems sound, and we’ve seen it go in when he’s on a roll. He might become the important thing three-and-D wing that San Antonio wants subsequent to Wembanyama and its star guards. We’ll must see him make steps towards changing into that participant in his sophomore season.
17 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists whereas taking pictures 5-6 from deep, offering an offensive spark in a sport with out Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Citadel.
